Umrao Jaan

In memory of Asha Bhosle, one of the greatest singers of Hindi cinema, who passed away this year.

(India 1971)
Dir: Muzaffar Ali
With Rekha, Farooq Shaikh, Naseeruddin Shah
A special restoration screening of Umrao Jaan (1981) – a sumptuous period drama set in nineteenth-century India, on the eve of British colonial rule. Abducted as a child from her home in Faizabad and sold to a prestigious brothel in Lucknow, Ameeran grows up to become Umrao Jaan, a celebrated courtesan, poet and dancer. Despite her success, she longs for love, belonging and a chance to escape the life imposed upon her.
Unlike the highly commercialized, formulaic action or romance blockbusters typical of 1980s Bollywood, Umrao Jaan was an independent project. Directed by fine artist and fashion designer Muzaffar Ali, it leaned heavily toward Parallel Cinema (India’s New Wave/arthouse movement).
Starring the legendary Rekha in one of her most acclaimed performances, the film is renowned for its exquisite costumes, evocative cinematography and delicate portrayal of Urdu poetry and culture. Its haunting musical score, composed by Khayyam – one of the most important composers in the history of Indian cinema – and featuring the unforgettable voice of Asha Bhosle, remains a landmark of Indian cinema.
(145 min. Urdu with Hebrew subtitles)

The screening will be presented by the Ambassador of India to Israel, Jitender Pal Singh, and preceded by “A Journey into the Voice of Transparent Women in Indian Society”: Dr. Oshrit Birvadker in a short lecture on Asha Bhosle, her extraordinary life story, and her contribution to Indian culture. Through the classics Umrao Jaan and Caravan, we will discover how her singing breathed life into women characters on the margins, turning them into a symbol of resilience and female empowerment.
The event is held in partnership with the Embassy of India and Indivade.

Total duration approx. 165 mins.

For more Asha Bhosle, see “Caravan”.

Screenings

Thu 26.11, 20:30, Hall 4  |  Buy tickets

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